Across the area

An Augusta man was arrested Friday night and charged with armed robbery, a Richmond County sheriff's report stated.

Rodney Maurice Rainey, 48, of the 3400 block of Dexter Court, said he was approached by a man at his home at about 8 p.m., the report said.

He said the man pointed a silver handgun at him and took his leather Timberland wallet , which contained $100, his driver's license and five gold-diamond rings, a police report stated.

Mall employee says customer stole shoes

An Augusta Mall employee said she was the victim of theft Friday afternoon, after a customer tried on a pair of Nike Airforce One tennis shoes.

Maya Lashal Brown , who works at Footlocker, 3450 Wrightsboro Road, said that at about 1 p.m., a man in all - black attire walked into the store , tried on the shoes and walked out without paying for them.

The shoes were valued at $85, a Richmond County Sheriff's Office report stated.

Store owner reports men cursing, assault

An Augusta convenience store owner called police to his Deans Bridge business after complaining about customers who were using expletives inside his business late Friday.

At about 11:30 p.m., police were called to the 3300 block of Deans Bridge Road. The owner said he told the men to leave after they started swearing inside his shop. The men then started cursing at him, and ultimately started fighting him before punching his wife, the police report said.

The couple said they do not want to press charges.

School is accepting pupil applications

C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School is accepting applications for 2005-06.

Applications may be picked up at the school. Kindergarten pupils must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 and complete a kindergarten screening.

First- through eighth-graders must have at least an 80 average at their current school. All applicants must be residents of Richmond County.

Applications must be returned by Feb. 28.

Railroad crossing will be closed for repair

Augusta Public Works crews will close 15th Street at Greene Street to rebuild a railroad crossing next week, a news release states.

The closure will be from Monday through Thursday. Drivers should use Walton Way, 13th Street, Crawford Avenue or the John C. Calhoun Expressway as detours.

Christmas tree drop sites are still open

Christmas tree drop-off locations will be available in Columbia County through Monday. Residents can drop off their trees at the following times and locations:

From 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Columbia County Landfill, 590 Baker Place Road in Grovetown;